Manufacture and method for forming structures and the structures resulting therefrom

ABSTRACT

A clip for assembling corners of hollow members such as the rails and stiles of an extruded aluminum door. The clip has an L shape and may feature a double L shape. A portion inserts into the hollow of a first member and is attached thereto. Another portion extends into the other hollow member for attachment thereto to form a sturdy joint without welding. Pairs of clips may be used at each corner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/032,722, filed Sep.20, 2013, entitled Manufacture and Method For Forming Structures and theStructures Resulting Therefrom, which application is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to joinery methods and manufactures forassembling structures and more particularly, to such methods andmanufactures applied to the task of assembling structures, such asdoors, windows and frames, from members conjoined at an angle, e.g.,perpendicular to one another.

BACKGROUND

Various manufactures and methods are known for joining adjacent members,such as welding, mortise and tenon joints, the use of threaded fastenersextending through the adjacent ends of the members, etc. As applied tometal structures, such as metal doors, traditional welding methods ofthe stiles to the rails is labor and skill intensive, costly, and oftencauses discoloration and distortion of pre-finished members. The use offull-width tie rods in conjunction with corner fittings requiresmultiple fittings and assembly is time consuming and costly. Improvedand/or alternative methods and devices for joinery therefore remaindesirable.

SUMMARY

The disclosed subject matter relates to a structure having a firstmember with an interior hollow and a slot in a side thereof extendingthrough the first member into the interior hollow. A second member hasan interior hollow and an open end, the open end communicating with theinterior hollow thereof. A clip for attaching the first member to thesecond member has a first leg, a second leg and a third leg, the firstleg having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion andthe upper portion being substantially parallel and laterally spaced byan offset extending there between, the first leg and second leg beingattached at a first angle distal to the offset and the third leg beingattached to the first leg and extending in a direction with a componentparallel to a direction of extension of the second leg, the third legbeing longitudinally spaced from the second leg. The upper portion ofthe first leg is capable of being inserted into the slot in the firstmember and the clip is capable of being rotated into a position with theclip contacting the first member within the interior hollow, the clipcapable of contacting the first member exterior to the hollow and beingfastened to the first member, the second leg and the third leg capableof inserting into the open end of the second member and being fastenedto the second member.

In another embodiment, the clip has a fourth leg connecting the thirdleg to the upper portion of the first leg distal to the offset, thefourth leg extending substantially parallel to the upper portion.

In another embodiment, the first and second legs form a first L shapeand the third and fourth legs form a second L shape, the first L shapebeing longitudinally offset from the second L shape by a distanceapproximating a height of the lower portion and laterally offset by adistance approximating a thickness of the first member proximate theslot.

In another embodiment, the clip has fastener apertures formed thereinand the first member and the second member, each have a fasteneraperture therein, the plurality of fastener apertures of the clip andthe fastener apertures in the first member and second member capable ofbeing aligned in an assembly orientation, and further including aplurality of fasteners inserted through the fastener apertures of theclip and the first and second members that fasten the first and secondmembers to the clip.

In another embodiment, a surface of the fourth leg distal to the upperportion contacts the interior of the first member and a surface of thelower portion distal to the third leg contacts an exterior surface ofthe first member when fastened thereto by the fasteners.

In another embodiment, the first, second, third and fourth legs are eachformed from a continuous metal strip.

In another embodiment, the slot in the first member is a first slot andwherein the first member has at least one additional slot and furtherincluding a wing extending from the lower portion substantiallyperpendicular thereto, the wing inserting into the additional slot, whenthe upper portion is inserted into the first slot and the clip isrotated into position to be fastened to the first member.

In another embodiment, the first member has a second additional slot andfurther including a second wing extending from the lower portion, thesecond wing capable of being received in the second additional slot whenthe upper portion is inserted into the first slot and the clip isrotated into position to be fastened to the first member.

In another embodiment, the second member is tubular having a generallyrectangular cross-sectional shape with pairs of opposed walls, thesecond leg capable of being fastened to a first wall of a pair ofopposed walls and the third leg capable of being attached to a second ofthe pair of opposed walls.

In another embodiment, the first and second members are tubularextrusions of aluminum alloy.

In another embodiment, the structure is a door.

In another embodiment, the fasteners are blind fasteners.

In another embodiment, the fasteners are rivets.

In another embodiment, a structure, has a first member with an interiorhollow and a slot in a side thereof communicating with the interiorhollow. A second member has an interior hollow and an open end, the openend communicating with the interior hollow thereof. A clip for attachingthe first member to the second member has a first leg, a second leg, athird leg and a fourth leg, the first leg and second leg being conjoinedat a first angle forming a first conjunction and the third leg isattached to the first leg at an end thereof distal to the second legforming a second conjunction, the third leg extending along the firstleg proximate and substantially parallel to a surface thereof distal tothe second leg and in a direction toward the first conjunction, thefourth leg extending from a third conjunction with the third leg distalto the second conjunction, the fourth leg extending parallel to thesecond leg along a portion of the length of the second leg proximate thefirst conjunction. The first leg and the third leg are capable of beinginserted into the slot in the first member and the clip is capable ofbeing rotated into a position with the first leg contacting the firstmember within the interior hollow, and being fastened to the firstmember. The second leg is capable of inserting into the open end of thesecond member and being fastened to the second member.

In another embodiment, the first, second, third and fourth legs are eachformed from a continuous metal strip.

In another embodiment, further including a retainer extending from aside surface of the second leg proximate the first conjunction, a widthof the second leg including the retainer exceeding the width of theslot, such that the retainer is capable of preventing the clip fromfalling through the slot into the interior hollow of the first member.

In another embodiment, the clip has fastener apertures formed thereinand the first member and the second member each have a fastener aperturetherein, the fastener apertures of the clip and the apertures in thefirst member and second member capable of being aligned in an assemblyorientation, and further including a plurality of fasteners capable ofbeing inserted through the aligned fastener apertures of the clip andthe first and second members to fasten the first and second members tothe clip.

In another embodiment, the width of the clip at the first conjunction,the second conjunction and the third conjunction is relieved.

In another embodiment, the third conjunction abuts the firstconjunction, supporting the first conjunction.

In another embodiment, the length of the fourth leg is such that an endof the fourth leg distal to the third leg is approximately flush with anexterior surface of the first member when the clip is fastened thereto.

In another embodiment, a combined thickness of the first leg and thethird leg approximates a height of the slot in the first member.

In another embodiment, the first member has two slots spaced apredetermined distance from one another and the clip is a first clip andfurther including a second clip like the first clip for attaching thefirst member to the second member, the first slot capable of receivingthe first clip and the second slot capable of receiving the second clip,the second leg of the first clip and the second leg of the second clipcapable of inserting into the hollow of the second member and beingfastened to the second member.

In another embodiment, the second member is tubular having a generallyrectangular cross-sectional shape with pairs of opposed walls, thesecond leg of the first clip capable of being fastened to a first wallof a pair of opposed walls and the second leg of the second clip capableof being attached to a second of the pair of opposed walls.

In another embodiment, the first and second members are tubularextrusions of aluminum alloy.

In another embodiment, the structure is a door.

In another embodiment, the fasteners are blind fasteners.

In another embodiment, the fasteners are rivets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, referenceis made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodimentsconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a clip for assembling members inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 1 looking from anotherdirection.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clip of FIGS. 1 and 2 in positionfor insertion into a first hollow member.

FIG. 4 is a partially phantom perspective view of the clip of FIG. 3positioned within the first hollow member.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clip and hollow member of FIGS. 3and 4 coupled to an adjacent member to form an assembly.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cross-section of the assembly ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIGS. 5-7 viewed fromanother direction.

FIG. 9 is perspective view of a clip for assembling members inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 9 looking from anotherdirection.

FIG. 11 is a partially phantom, perspective view of the clip of FIGS. 9and 10 in a first insertion position into a slot in a first hollowmember.

FIG. 12 is a partially phantom, perspective view of the clip of FIG. 11as it is rotated into a second insertion position within the firsthollow member.

FIG. 13 is a partially phantom perspective view of the clip of FIGS. 11and 12 in the second insertion position within the first hollow member.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the clip and hollow member of FIG. 13coupled to an adjacent member to form an assembly.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the cross-section of the assembly ofFIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is perspective view of a clip for assembling members inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 17 looking fromanother direction.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the clip of FIGS. 17 and 18 in positionfor insertion into a first hollow member.

FIG. 20 is a partially phantom, perspective view of the clip of FIG. 19positioned within the first hollow member.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the clip and hollow member of FIG. 20coupled to an adjacent member to form an assembly.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the cross-section of the assembly ofFIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is perspective view of a clip for assembling members inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 24 looking fromanother direction.

FIG. 26 is a partially phantom, perspective view of a pair of clipsshown in FIGS. 24 and 25 in a first insertion position into a pair ofslots in a first hollow member.

FIG. 27 is a partially phantom, perspective view of the clips of FIG. 26as they are rotated into a second insertion position within the firsthollow member.

FIG. 28 is a partially phantom perspective view of the clips of FIGS. 26and 27 in the second insertion position within the first hollow member.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the clips and hollow member of FIG. 28coupled to an adjacent member to form an assembly.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the cross-section of the assembly ofFIG. 30.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure describes a clip and clip installation processthat may be used in conjunction with fasteners to assemble a frame jointfrom component members. In one embodiment, the clip may be used to joina stile and rail of a door or window frame, e.g., made from hollowmembers, such as extrusions made from aluminum alloy. The clip may beused to align vertical and horizontal components relative to each other,allowing them to be joined at the proper angle. The clip may be used tojoin members of various lengths, such as tall/short top and bottomrails, allowing a variety of structures to be assembled using a commonclip, e.g., to produce a variety of frames of different dimensions. Theclip may be made from plastic, aluminum or steel depending on thestrength needed for the joint connection. In those applications wherehigh strength, low cost and formability are required, steel can be used.Progressive, one-piece steel stamping designs are presented herein, butfabricated steel, machined aluminum, machined plastic, extruded or castaluminum and extruded or cast plastics could also be used for formingthe clip. The present disclosure includes clip installation methods thatcould be categorized as: inside mounting, outside mounting or slide-inmounting. In one embodiment, the clip may be attached to the members tobe joined through the use of blind fasteners. The fastener dimensionsmay be selected to provide the required strength for the application andmay be set using a hydraulic or pneumatic gun, eliminating welding andthe inherent heat related problems that it creates. Other types offasteners can be used for attachment, such as screws, bolts, rivets,spot welds, etc. Typically, the use of the clip and methods of thepresent disclosure allow a reduction in the number of parts required tojoin members into a frame structure over conventional approaches. Theavoidance of welding may also lead to reductions in labor costs andrequired skill levels, assembly time, number of parts to assemble andstock, manufacturing costs, rework and scrap. The ease of assemblyprovided by the clip may also allow assembly to take place in the fieldversus in the factory. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a clip 10 for assemblingmembers 11, 13 (see FIG. 5) in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The clip 10 could be described as having a stackedor double L configuration with a first leg 12 having a first panel 14,an offset 16 and a second panel 18. A second leg 20 extends at an angle,e.g., 90 degrees from the first panel 14, defining the bottom portion ofa first L shape and a third panel 22 depends from a reverse curve 24,such that the third panel 22 extends parallel to the second panel 18 andin line with the first panel 14. The offset 16 has dimensionsapproximating the thickness of the third panel 22 and permits the thirdpanel 22 to be in line with the first panel 14. A third leg 26 extendsfrom the third panel 22 at an angle, e.g., 90 degrees, forming inconjunction with the third panel 22, another L shape that nests (with aspace between second leg 20 and third leg 26) with the L shape formed bythe first leg 12 and the second leg 20. The second leg 20 has aflattened U shaped cross-section with a central area 20C, bends 20B andflat portions 20F that overall provide a stiffening function and maymate in complementary fashion with interior surfaces of the member 13. Apair of support wings 28 extend from opposite sides of the first panel14 with a connected portion 28C extending at an angle, e.g., 90 degreesrelative to the first panel 14 to a bend 28B of, e.g., 90 degrees fromwhich extends a lip 28L. A similar pair of support wings 30 withportions 30C, 30B and 30L extend in a similar manner from third panel22. Holes 32A1-32E permit the passage of fasteners (not shown) likerivets, screws, bolts, etc. through the clip 10.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the installation of the clip 10 into a hollowstructural member 11 that may be made, e.g., from extruded aluminum orplastic. The member 11 has a wall 11W with a shallow U cross sectionalshape. Slots S1, S2 in the wall 11W receive the second leg 20 and thethird leg 26, respectively, there through and apertures A1, A2 alignwith apertures 32A1/32A2 and, 32B of the clip 10. Because the clip 10 isinserted into the hollow member 11 and then the second leg 20 and thirdleg 26 are extended through the slots S1, S2, the arrangement can bedesignated an “inside mount” of the clip 10. When fully inserted intothe slots S1, S2, the support wings 28, 30, being complementarily shapedrelative to the shallow U shaped wall 11W, bear against the wall 11Wand/or the interior 11I of the member 11 to resist torsional forces F1,F2 (clockwise or counterclockwise, see FIG. 5 also) that may be exertedon the clip 10 and members 11, 13. The slots S1, S2 and apertures A1, A2may be punched, drilled or machined into the wall 11W.

FIGS. 5-8 show an assembly 34 formed from members 11, 13 conjoined byclip 10 and fasteners 36A-36E. The fasteners 36A-36E may be “blindfasteners,” such as pop rivets that can be applied from one side of anassembly and have a head portion H, which is larger than the aperturesA1, A2 in member 11 (member 13 having similar apertures) and anexpandable portion M, which is inserted through aligned apertures, e.g.,A1 and 32A1, 32A2 and then expanded (by pulling on a central, breakablecore pin with a swage tip) to enlarge the expandable portion M to adimension larger than the apertures A1, 32A1, 32A2, clamping the member11 to the clip 10. Blind fasteners do not require access to the side ofthe assembly 34 opposite to the head portion H. The member 13 issimilarly held to the clip 10 by the action of fasteners 36C, 36D and36E. Other types of fasteners 36 may be used, such as machine orself-threading screws or bolts with mating nuts.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a clip 110 for assembling members 111, 113 (see FIG.14) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The clip110 could be described as having a stacked or double L configurationwith a first leg 112 having a first panel 114, an offset 116 and asecond panel 118. A second leg 120 extends at an angle, e.g., 90 degreesfrom the first panel 114, defining the bottom portion of a first L shapeand a third panel 122 depends from a reverse curve 124, such that thethird panel 122 extends parallel to the second panel 118 offset from theplane occupied by the first panel 114. The offset 116 has dimensionsapproximating the thickness of the third panel 122 plus the thickness ofthe member 111 (wall 111W) and permits the third panel 122 to abutagainst the interior surface of the wall 111W while the first panel 114abuts the exterior surface of the wall 111W, when the clip 110 isinstalled on member 111 (See FIG. 13). A third leg 126 extends from thethird panel 122 at an angle, e.g., 90 degrees, forming in conjunctionwith the third panel 122, another L shape that nests (with a spacebetween second leg 120 and third leg 126) with the L shape formed by thefirst leg 112 and the second leg 120. The second leg 120 has a flattenedU shaped cross-section like second leg 20 of FIG. 1. A pair of supportwings 129 extend from opposite sides of the first panel 114 extending atan angle, e.g., 90 degrees relative to the first panel 114. Holes132A1-132E permit the passage of fasteners like rivets, screws, bolts,etc. through the clip 10. Additional holes, like 132F (only shown inFIGS. 9 and 10) may be made to accommodate additional fasteners.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show the installation of the clip 110 into a hollowstructural member 111 that may be made, e.g., from extruded aluminum orplastic. The member 111 has a wall 111W with a shallow U cross sectionalshape. Slot S1 in the wall 111W receives the second and third panels118, 122. When the clip 110 is rotated (counterclockwise in theseviews), the support wings 129 extend into slots S2A and S2B and theaperture 132D aligns with aperture A1 in 111W and apertures 132A1, 132A2align with aperture A2 in wall 111W. Because the clip 110 is partiallyinserted into the hollow member 111 from the outside and second leg 120,first panel 114 and third leg 126 remain on the outside of the member111, the arrangement can be designated an “outside mount” of the clip110. When fully inserted into the slots S2A, S2B, the support wings 129bear against the slots S2A, S2B and/or the interior 111I of member 111to resist torsional forces F1, F2 (See FIG. 4) that may be exerted onthe clip 110.

FIGS. 14-16 show an assembly 134 formed from members 111, 113 andconjoined by clip 110 and fasteners 136A-136E. The fasteners 136A-136Emay be “blind fasteners,” such as pop rivets that can be applied fromone side of an assembly and have a head portion H and an expandableportion M, which is inserted through the aligned apertures, e.g., A1,132A1, 132A2 and then expanded to enlarge the expandable portion M to adimension larger than the apertures A1, 132A1, 132A2, clamping themember 111 to the clip 110. The member 113 is similarly held to the clip110 by the action of fasteners 136C, 136D and 136E. Other types offasteners 136 may be used, such as machine or self-threading screws orbolts with mating nuts.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a clip 210 for assembling members 211, 213 (seeFIG. 21) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theclip 210 could be described as having an L configuration with a firstleg 212 having a flattened U shaped cross section. A second leg 220extends at an angle, e.g., 90 degrees from the first leg 212, definingthe bottom portion of the L shape. A third panel 221 extends back from areverse curve 223, such that the third panel 221 extends parallel to thesecond leg 220. An upright panel 225 extends from curve 227 parallel toand spaced from first leg 212 by a spacing approximating the thicknessof wall 211W and ends in curve 229. A forth panel 226 extends from curve229 parallel to panels 220 and 221. The clip 210 could be described as Lshaped with a U shaped element composed of panels 221, 225 and 226attached to the bottom leg 220, such that the bottom portion of the L isbifurcated.

A pair of support wings 228 extend from opposite sides of the first leg212 with a connected portion 228C extending at an angle, e.g., 90degrees relative to the first leg 212 to a bend 228B of, e.g., 90degrees from which a lip 228L extends. Holes 232A-232E2 permit thepassage of fasteners like rivets, screws, bolts, etc. through the clip210.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show the installation of the clip 210 into a hollowstructural member 211 that may be made, e.g., from extruded aluminum orplastic. The member 211 has a wall 211W with a shallow U cross sectionalshape. A slot S1 in the wall 211W accommodates the clip 210 allowing theleg 220 to project from a level above that of the edge 211E of themember 211 and allowing the apertures A1 and A2 to align with holes 232Aand 232B1/232B2 (232B2 is not visible in this view). The slot S1 mayextend up the wall 211W to any selected extent, so long as the aperturesA1, A2, which may occupy any selected position, are positioned to alignwith the apertures 232A, 232B1/232B2 for given slot S1 dimensions.Because the clip 210 is slipped into the hollow member 211 via the slotand the spacing between panel 225 and leg 212, the arrangement can bedesignated a “slide mount” of the clip 210. When fully inserted into theslot S1 and fastened by fasteners, as shown in FIG. 21, the supportwings 228, being complementarily shaped relative to the shallow U shapedwall 211W, bear against the wall 211W and/or the interior 2111 of themember 211 to resist torsional forces F1, F2 that may be exerted on theclip 210 and/or members 211, 213.

FIGS. 21-23 show an assembly 234 formed from members 211, 213 andconjoined by clip 210 and fasteners 236A-236E. The fasteners 236A-236Emay be “blind fasteners,” such as pop rivets that can be applied fromone side of an assembly and have a head portion H, which is larger thanthe apertures A1, A2 in the member 211 (member 213 having similarapertures) and an expandable portion M, which is inserted through thealigned apertures, e.g., A1, 232A and then expanded to enlarge theexpandable portion M to a dimension larger than the aperture 232A andclamping the member 211 to the clip 210. The member 213 is similarlyheld to the clip 210 by the action of fasteners 236C, 236D and 236E.Other types of fasteners 236 may be used, such as machine orself-threading screws or bolts with mating nuts.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show a clip 310 for assembling members 311, 313 (seeFIG. 29) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theclip 310 could be described as having an L configuration with a firstleg 312 having a stub 316 extending at an angle, e.g., 90 degrees, froma first panel 318. A second leg 320 extends at an angle, e.g., 90degrees from a second panel 322, defining the bottom portion of the Lshape, the second panel 322 depending from a reverse curve 324 extendingfrom the first panel 318, such that the second panel 322 extendsparallel to the first panel 318. The stub 316 extends from the firstpanel 318 parallel to the second leg 320, bracing the position of thesecond leg relative to the second panel 322. Holes 332A1-332D permit thepassage of fasteners like rivets, screws, bolts, etc. through the clip310. The clip 310 features two holding tabs 317A, 317B that prevent theclip 310 from passing through a given slot in a hollow member when it ispartially inserted therein to assemble a structure, as shall bedescribed below. Reliefs 319A, 319B, 321A and 321B at the reverse curve324, stub 316 and bend 323 remove the burr that is produced as aconsequence of forming a bend at these locations. A burr could interferewith the insertion and rotation of the clip 310 in a close fitting slotin a member to be joined. The clip 310 is also radiused at 325A and 325Bto facilitate insertion into a mating slot in a structural member, suchas the rail of a door.

FIGS. 26, 27 and 28 show the installation of a pair of clips 310A, 310Binto a hollow structural member 311 that may be made, e.g., fromextruded aluminum or plastic. The member 311 has a wall 311W with ashallow U cross sectional shape. Slots S1, S2 in the wall 311W receivethe first legs 312 of clips 310A, 310B. When the clips 310A, 310B areinserted fully, the holding tabs 317A, 317B abut against thecorresponding slot S1, S2, preventing the clip 310 from passing entirelythrough the slots S1, S2 into the interior hollow 3111 of the hollowmember 311. When the clips 310A, 310B are rotated (counterclockwise inthese views), the apertures 332A1/332A2 and 332B1, 332B2 align withapertures A1, A2, A3, A4 in wall 311W. Because the clips 310A, 310B arepartially inserted into the hollow member 311 from the outside andsecond leg 320, remains on the outside of the member 311, thearrangement can be designated an “outside mount” of the clip 310.

FIGS. 29-31 show an assembly 334 formed from members 311, 313 andconjoined by clips 310A, 310B and fasteners 336A-336H. The fasteners336A-336H may be “blind fasteners,” such as pop rivets that can beapplied from one side of an assembly. The member 313 is similarly heldto the clips 310A, 310B by the action of fasteners 336E-336H. Othertypes of fasteners 336 may be used, such as machine or self-threadingscrews or bolts with mating nuts. The clips 310A, 310B may be used inpairs to join two members e.g., 311, 313. One of the clips connects theupper part of the horizontal extrusion (rail) with the verticalextrusion, (stile), while the other clip joins the lower part of thehorizontal extrusion (rail) with the vertical extrusion. Since a pair ofclips 310A, 310B can accommodate multiple rails of different dimensionsby adjusting the position of the slots S1, S2 and the resultant spacingbetween the clips 310A, 310B, the clips 310A, 310B could be described as“universal.” For structures having less demanding requirements ofstrength and rigidity, a single clip 310 could be used to fasten twomembers 311, 313.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merelyexemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variationsand modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of theclaimed subject matter. For example, while 90 degree assemblies areshown above, the clip 10, 110, 210, 310 may have a shape other than a 90degree L, wherein the lower portion of the L is oriented at an acute orobtuse angle relative to the upper portion of the L, so that members 11,13 may be joined at other than 90 degrees. All such variations andmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims.

We claim:
 1. A structure, comprising: a first member having an interiorhollow and a slot aperture in a side thereof extending through the firstmember into the interior hollow; a second member having an interiorhollow and an open end, the open end communicating with the interiorhollow thereof; a clip for attaching the first member to the secondmember, the clip having a first leg, a second leg and a third leg, thefirst leg having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portionand the upper portion being substantially parallel and laterally spacedby an offset extending therebetween, the first leg and second leg beingattached at a first angle distal to the offset, the second leg extendingaway from the first leg in a first direction and the third leg beingattached to the first leg and extending in a direction with a componentparallel to the first direction, the third leg being longitudinallyspaced from the second leg, the upper portion of the first leg beinginserted into the slot aperture in the first member and rotated into aposition with the offset extending through the slot aperture, the upperportion extending within the interior hollow, while the lower portionremains outside the interior hollow and contacts an exterior surface ofthe side, the clip contacting the first member within the interiorhollow and simultaneously contacting the first member exterior to thehollow and being fastened to the first member, the second leg and thethird leg inserting into the open end of the second member and beingfastened to the second member.
 2. A structure, comprising: a firstmember having an interior hollow and a slot in a side thereof extendingthrough the first member into the interior hollow; a second memberhaving an interior hollow and an open end, the open end communicatingwith the interior hollow thereof; a clip for attaching the first memberto the second member, the clip having a first leg, a second leg, a thirdleg and a fourth leg, the first leg having a lower portion and an upperportion, the lower portion and the upper portion being substantiallyparallel and laterally spaced by an offset extending therebetween, thefirst leg and second leg being attached at a first angle distal to theoffset, the second leg extending away from the first leg in a firstdirection and the third leg being attached to the first leg andextending in a direction with a component parallel to the firstdirection, the third leg being longitudinally spaced from the secondleg, the upper portion of the first leg capable of being inserted intothe slot in the first member and the clip capable of being rotated intoa position with the clip contacting the first member within the interiorhollow, the clip capable of contacting the first member exterior to thehollow and being fastened to the first member, the second leg and thethird leg capable of inserting into the open end of the second memberand being fastened to the second member, the fourth leg connecting thethird leg to the upper portion of the first leg distal to the offset,the fourth leg extending substantially parallel to the upper portion ona side of the first leg from which the second leg and third leg extend.3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the first and second legs form afirst L shape and the third and fourth legs form a second L shape, thefirst L shape being longitudinally offset from the second L shape by adistance approximating a height of the lower portion and laterallyoffset by a distance approximating a thickness of the first memberproximate the slot.
 4. The structure of claim 3, wherein the clip hasfastener apertures formed therein and the first member and the secondmember, each have a fastener aperture therein, the plurality of fastenerapertures of the clip and the fastener apertures in the first member andsecond member capable of being aligned in an assembly orientation, andfurther including a plurality of fasteners inserted through the fastenerapertures of the clip and the first and second members that fasten thefirst and second members to the clip.
 5. The structure of claim 4,wherein a surface of the fourth leg distal to the upper portion contactsthe interior of the first member and a surface of the lower portiondistal to the third leg contacts an exterior surface of the first memberwhen fastened thereto by the fasteners.
 6. The structure of claim 3,wherein the first, second, third and fourth legs are each formed from acontinuous metal strip.
 7. The structure of claim 3, wherein the slot inthe first member is a first slot and wherein the first member has atleast one additional slot and further including a wing extending fromthe lower portion substantially perpendicular thereto, the winginserting into the additional slot, when the upper portion is insertedinto the first slot and the clip is rotated into position to be fastenedto the first member.
 8. The structure of claim 7, wherein the firstmember has a second additional slot and further including a second wingextending from the lower portion, the second wing capable of beingreceived in the second additional slot when the upper portion isinserted into the first slot and the clip is rotated into position to befastened to the first member.
 9. The structure of claim 3, wherein thesecond member is tubular having a generally rectangular cross-sectionalshape with pairs of opposed walls, the second leg capable of beingfastened to a first wall of a pair of opposed walls and the third legcapable of being attached to a second of the pair of opposed walls. 10.The structure of claim 3, wherein the first and second members aretubular extrusions of aluminum alloy.
 11. The structure of claim 10,wherein the structure is a door.
 12. The structure of claim 10, whereinthe clip has a plurality of fastener apertures formed therein and thefirst member and the second member each have a fastener aperturetherein, the plurality of fastener apertures of the clip and thefastener apertures in the first member and second member capable ofbeing aligned in an assembly orientation, and further including aplurality of blind fasteners inserted through the fastener apertures ofthe clip and the first and second members that fasten the first andsecond members to the clip.
 13. The structure of claim 12, wherein theplurality of blind fasteners are rivets.
 14. A structure, comprising: afirst member having an interior hollow and a slot in a side thereofcommunicating with the interior hollow; a second member having aninterior hollow and an open end, the open end communicating with theinterior hollow thereof; a clip for attaching the first member to thesecond member, the clip having a first leg, a second leg, a third legand a fourth leg, the first leg and second leg being conjoined at afirst angle forming a first conjunction and the third leg being attachedto the first leg at an end thereof distal to the second leg on a side ofthe first leg from which the second leg extends forming a secondconjunction, the third leg extending along the first leg proximate andsubstantially parallel to a surface thereof distal to the second leg andin a direction toward the first conjunction, the fourth leg extendingfrom a third conjunction with the third leg distal to the secondconjunction, the fourth leg extending parallel to the second leg alongaportion of the length of the second leg proximate the firstconjunction, the first leg and the third leg capable of being insertedinto the slot in the first member and the clip capable of being rotatedinto a position with the third leg contacting the first member withinthe interior hollow, and being fastened to the first member, the secondleg capable of inserting into the open end of the second member andbeing fastened to the second member.
 15. The structure of claim 14,wherein the first, second, third and fourth legs are each formed from acontinuous metal strip.
 16. The structure of claim 15, wherein acombined thickness of the first leg and the third leg approximates aheight of the slot in the first member.
 17. The structure of claim 14,wherein the first and second members are tubular extrusions of aluminumalloy.
 18. The structure of claim 17, wherein the structure is a door.19. The structure of claim 18, wherein the clip has a plurality offastener apertures formed therein and the first member and the secondmember each have a fastener aperture therein, the plurality of fastenerapertures of the clip and the fastener apertures in the first member andsecond member capable of being aligned in an assembly orientation, andfurther including a plurality of blind fasteners inserted through thefastener apertures of the clip and the first and second members thatfasten the first and second members to the clip.
 20. The structure ofclaim 19, wherein the plurality of blind fasteners are rivets.